Long known as an agriculture producing powerhouse, Georgia is now the rising star on the nation's culinary scene as young chefs -- many of them native trained -- have embraced and enhanced the rich traditions of Southern Cuisine. Six of the state's hottest young chefs will delight food enthusiasts at the SolarOne Pier for A Taste of Georgia from 4pm - 10pm on July 4th. Ticket and event info are available at: http://bit.ly/28Ltcph 
Under the watchful eye of Georgia's Grand Dame, Executive Chef Holly Chute of the Georgia Department of Agriculture's Georgia Grown program, each of these young superstars will be reinterpreting Southern summer classics in fresh and exciting ways.

The chefs include Duane Nutter of One Flew South, E.J. Hodgkinson of King and Duke, Nick Leahy of Saltyard, Savannah Haseler of Twain's, Matthew Roher of The Landings Club, and Roberto Leoci of 700 Drayton. Renowned Georgia mixologist Julian Goglia will round out the Southern dream team. 

"Georgia is a treasure trove of fresh flavors in July," Chute explains "Our chefs don't have to look far for inspiration... most of them have relationships with local farmers, so they're serving produce and proteins that are as fresh as it gets." 

700 guests will be treated to summer favorites such as fried chicken, barbecue, blueberry and watermelon salad, Summer slaw, roasted sweet potatoes and... of course... peach cobbler. "We're bringing the best of the best" Chute emphasized, adding that her local poultry, Springer Mountain Farms, was just named best-tasting chicken by Cooking Light Magazine. "Plus we'll be cooking on the (Georgia-based) Big Green Egg... so the whole waterfront should be treated to a mouth-watering, smoky aroma."  

The Taste of Georgia is being produced by Georgia's Gumbo Marketing and hosted -- as part of the cookout NYC series -- by Jimmy Carbone's Food Karma Projects. This years' sponsors include Big Green Egg, Springer Mountain Farms, Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Grown.  

About Georgia Grown:

The Georgia Grown program is a marketing and economic development program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The organization’s No. 1 goal is to aid agricultural economies by bringing together producers, processors, suppliers, distributors, retailers, agritourism and consumers in one powerful, statewide community. They exist to help new agribusinesses grow, and established agribusinesses thrive. For more information please visit https://www.georgiagrown.com/ and connect with them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/georgiangrown, on Twitter @GeorgiaGrown, and on Instagram @IAmGeorgiaGrown.

About Springer Mountain Farms:

Springer Mountain Farms® is a Mt. Airy, Georgia-based poultry producer that raises 100% antibiotic, steroid and hormone free chickens on family-owned farms. As the first poultry company in America to be recognized by the American Humane Association for the humane treatment of chickens, Springer Mountain Farms chickens are raised on pesticide-free vegetarian diets, and all aspects of the animal care from egg to processing are developed and inspected to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare and optimal taste. Springer Mountain Farms promises the healthiest, most flavorful and top quality chickens on the market. To learn more about Springer Mountain Farms®, visit m.springermountainfarms.com and connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SMFchicken, on Twitter @SMFchicken and on Instagram at @SMFchicken.

No time to give back? No problem. Thanks to local hospitality vet Thaddeus Keefe, Atlanta residents can support some of the city’s most worthwhile charities by simply treating themselves to a VIP chef’s table dinner experience. Beginning Wednesday, July 6th, Atlanta’s best-kept secret, 1KEPT, is inviting local residents in for a front-row chef's table dinner for two to six guests where 75% of the final bill is donated to local non-profit The Giving Kitchen.During this five-course chef select dinner, guests enjoy a front-row dining experience overlooking the restaurant’s open kitchen where savory aromas are brought to life and signature 1KEPT dishes are served with their seasonal counterparts. Kick off the evening with a round of cocktails, sample house-made jams from the Pimento Cheese Board, and then delve into succulent entrées like the “Day Boat” Scallops with Carnival cauliflower and sunchokes, Potato & Herb Gnocchi, or Bone-in Pork Chop with spicy kohlrabi slaw. Each Charity Counter dinner menu is customized based on guest preferences. Price starts at $55 per person. Reservations are required seven days in advance. For inquiries or to reserve the Charity Counter Chef’s Table, call1KEPT at 404-254-1973 or email the restaurant at 1@1kept.com.

About 1KEPT:

1KEPT is a collective kitchen and bar project serving up a refreshing take on the familiar. The seasonal new American menu features familiar tastes of the South highlighted by the best locally sourced ingredients available. Reclaimed wood, candlelight, and handcrafted cocktails make this tucked away locale an ideal destination for group celebrations, date night or solo sessions at the bar. 1KEPT is centrally located between Buckhead and Midtown Atlanta at 2293 Peachtree Road near Imperial Fez. For more information, please visit 1KEPT at http://www.1kept.com/ and connect on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/1kept/ and on Twitter and Instagram @1KEPT.

About The Giving Kitchen:

The Giving Kitchen (TGK) is a nonprofit charity based in Atlanta, GA inspired by an overwhelming expression of support from the hospitality industry when Atlanta chef Ryan Hidinger was diagnosed with last stage cancer in December 2012. From helping with the cost of living expenses to funeral arrangements, TGK provides emergency assistance to members of the greater metro Atlanta restaurant community. Funding for the sustainability of TGK comes from a variety of sources including direct beneficiary events like the Charity Counter at 1Kept, corporate and individual donations and profits from a one-of-a-kind platform generated by Staplehouse Restaurant. For more information on The Giving Kitchen and Staplehouse Restaurant, visit http://www.thegivingkitchen.org/ or http://www.staplehouse.com/.